Daily Favorite Stuffed Cabbage Rolls on a Vegetable Bed
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
For the cabbage rolls:
1 large head green or Savoy cabbage
1 lb (≈ 450 g) ground beef, turkey, or plant-based meat
1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or wild)
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg (optional, for binding)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the sauce:
1 can (15 oz / ~425 g) crushed tomatoes
½ cup tomato sauce
¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the vegetable bed:
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 small onion, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
Optional: salt, pepper, Italian herbs
Instructions
Preheat oven
Preheat your oven to 375 °F (≈ 190 °C). Grease a large baking dish or casserole pan.
Soften the cabbage leaves
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Submerge the whole cabbage for 5–7 minutes, until the outer leaves soften. Peel off softened leaves and set aside. Repeat until you have 8–10 usable leaves.
Make the filling
In a bowl, combine ground meat (or substitute), cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, egg (if using), smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined.
Roll the cabbage
Lay one cabbage leaf flat. Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling in the center. Fold the sides in, then roll tightly (like a burrito). Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
Prepare the vegetable bed
Toss sliced carrots, chopped zucchini, red bell pepper, and chopped onion with olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional Italian herbs. Spread evenly across the bottom of your baking dish.
Assemble & bake
Arrange the cabbage rolls on top of the vegetable bed.
In a bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients.
Pour the sauce evenly over the rolls and vegetables.
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45–50 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until the rolls are tender and the sauce is bubbling.
Serve & enjoy
Let the dish cool slightly before serving. Spoon roasted veggies and sauce alongside each cabbage roll. Serve with crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.